Contract for the execution of works within the project "Improvement of infrastructure in the port of Rijeka – dredging of the south berth at Adriatic Gate Container Terminal (POR2CORE-AGCT dredging)” has been signed.
The contract includes the work scope of seabed deepening at a length of 100 meters along the coastal southern wall quay, which will equalize the sea depth at 428 m of AGCT's operative Quay.
„The 100m deepening is crucial for our business, as the required berth depth is a key requirement for container shipping companies to efficiently keep calling Port of Rijeka and for AGCT to remain a gateway in North Adriatic, also considering constant cascading of larger vessels requiring deeper berth.“ – said Emmanuel Papagiannakis, AGCT CEO. He added:
„Current depth for 328m restricts the number of containers that can be handled on container ships that are currently berthing at AGCT, reducing call size and creating underutilized vessels. With seabed dredged another 100m, will have 428m at 14.9m for the largest vessels calling the Adriatic 15,000 TEU (20 ft containers), maximizing volumes and vessel working.
Importantly we have another project with CEF to further dredge to 16.5m, which will allow the next generation of larger vessels to be handled and further improve cargo flows between Asia and Europe for local market which increasingly includes Central Europe. With AGCT current rail share of 42%, project is also supporting an environmentally conscious supply chain. We expect the works to contribute to development of Port of Rijeka as an important south entry into Europe and with further increases in rail share and development of wider logistics industry in Croatia.
The contract in the amount of HRK 78,170,856.22 + VAT (HRK 97,713,570.27) was signed by Denis Vukorepa, Port Authority Director and Orianna Boscolo Contadin, Board Member of the contractor, NUOVA CO.ED.MAR S.r.l. in the presence of Mr. Oleg Butković, Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure.
“Following a successful 2019 with 20% growth, for the first 5 months of 2020, AGCT recorded 15% growth in overall volumes, despite challenging environment of Covid 19 pandemic. During May the terminal also achieved an all-time record monthly volume, vessel exchange and rail share "- commented Emmanuel Papagiannakis, Executive Director of AGCT, and added: “Rail volumes have grown almost 50% compared to last year following investment in intermodal yard and 42% share of our throughput serving an extended hinterland into South and Central Europe. We will continue to develop the port and intermodal offering and look forward to the continued growth of Port of Rijeka. “
